Thill-coupling



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

{No Model.)

A. J. ROBINSON. THILL COUPLING. No. 465,144. Patented Dec. 15, 1891.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

A. J. ROBINSON.

THILL COUPLING.

No. 465,144. Patented De0.15,1891.

UNTTED STATES PATE T OFFIC ANDREW JAMES ROBINSON, OE GLA SSTON, NORTHDAKOTA.

TH l LL-COUPLI NG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 465,144, dated December15, 1891.

Application filed August 29, 1891. Serial No. 404,156- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW JAMES ROB- INSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at-Glasston, in the county of Pembina and State ofNorth Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inThill- Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact descrip- 1ion of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inthill-couplings; and it consists in the novel construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, and afterwarddefinitely pointed out in the claim, due reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein-Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved thin-coupling, a portionof the axle being shown. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof. Fig. 3 isa top plan view, and Fig. i is a front elevation showing the coupling inan open condition.

Referring to the drawings, the number 1 indicates the forward axleconstructed in the usual manner, and about which are secured, by meansof bolts 2, the clips 3 and I, each of which are furnished with ears 5and 6, the ears 5 of the clip? being sufficiently farapart to receivethe end of a thill, as will more fully hereinafter appear. The bottommember 7 of the clip 4 extends in front and rear of the axle 1, and isprovided with an elongated slot 8, through which the threaded ends ofthe clip 4 extend, and are secured therein by means of nuts 9. The ears5 and 6 are perforated, as at 10, Within which perforations slides abolt 11, having its inner end 12 bent upwardly and then outwardly again,parallel with the main portion of the bolt 11, for the purposehereinafter described.

13 indicates a tube disposed between the ears 5 and 6, and preferablyformed integral with the draw-cli p.

At a suitable point within the bolt 11 is inserted a key 16, and betweensaid key and the ear 6 of the clip at and encircling the bolt 11 isarranged a spiral spring 17, which constantly exerts a force to movesaid bolt outward. This spring is entirely inclosed within the tube 13,the latter serving to protect the spring against breakage, and alsoprevents any portion of the harness or the tail of the draft-animal frombecoming entangled therein.

The operation of my improved thilll coupling is as follows: In applyingthe couplings tothe axle the clip 3 is first bolted to the axle, andnext the clip 4 and the other parts are fitted thereto, and the bottommember 7 of the clip 4 adjusted to the proper position to bring theperforated ears 5 and 6 into alignmen t, in order that the bolt 11 mayslidetruly and easily therein. When it is desired to attach the thills,the bolt 11 is withdrawn until its outer extremity clears the spacebetween the ears 5, and said boltis then turned until the tail 12thereof is in a position to bear against the perforated ear 6 of theclip 4, when it will be held in its withdrawn or open position. Thethills having been inserted within the ears 5 of the couplings, thebolts are turned sufliciently to permit the springs to force themthrough the ears 5 and the thills, said springs serving to lock thethills in position until removed by hand.

The coupling constructed as above described is adapted to be applied toany ordinary axle, and doesnot require to be specially fitted to theaxle.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- In a thill coupling, thecombination, with clips provided with perforated ears, of aspring-actuated bolt sliding within said ears and provided with a tailbent outwardly and then inwardly parallel with the bolt, the end of saidtail being adapted to bear against the opposing face of the adjacent earwhen the bolt is withdrawn, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREIV JAMES ROBINSON.

lVitnesses:

ARCHIBALD GLAss, I. V. LEIFUR.

